Flash Flooding and High Wind in Connecticut, December 17, 2000

A complex storm system began to evolve on Saturday December 16 across the Mississippi Valley. A surface low tracked north into the eastern Great Lakes by December 17. At the same time, the associated upper level trough became negatively tilted as it moved toward the northeast on Sunday. This allowed for rapid cyclogenesis. Unseasonably warm and moist air was transported northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This scenario brought a record breaking rainstorm to Litchfield County. There were very strong winds aloft which were able to be transported down to produce a brief localized high wind event. Trees were reported down in the town of Bethlehem. Power outages were reported there, and at other places in the county. The bigger problem was the heavy rainfall. Rainfall amounts were in the 2 to 4 inch range, with Bakersville specifically receiving 2.75 and Colebrook 3.50 inches respectively. The bulk of the rainfall was in a short interval of time, with some localites receiving an inch per hour. The excessive rainfall combined with melting snow and frozen ground, to produce massive runoff. In Torrington, street flooding was reported, and construction equiment washed downstream on the Naugatuck River. Widespread street flooding was also reported in Litchfield. The Housatonic River slightly exceeded its 8-foot flood stage at Gaylordsville and the 11-foot flood stage at Stevenson.